Stories for September 2012

Potomac’s October Fest

Potomac Day, Potomac House Tour, Family Fun Fest and more.

Potomac Day, the annual community festival sponsored by the Potomac Chamber of Commerce, is just around the corner. The day-long celebration is scheduled for Saturday Oct. 20 in Potomac Village, kicking off with the annual Potomac Day Parade up River Road to Falls Road at 10:30 a.m.

Churchill Football Suffers First Loss

Bulldogs fall to Seneca Valley.

The Churchill football team suffered its first loss of the season.

Classified Advertising Sept 26, 2012

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Column: My Team

Not literally, of course. Nor am I the coach or the general manager. But I do feel like an owner, in that there are people that I invest in – again not literally, but definitely emotionally.

Potomac Calendar: Sept. 26, 2012

Upcoming events and activities.

Potomac Bulletin Board: Sept. 26, 2012

Upcoming events and activities

Corrieanne Stein Wows Audiences

Wootton Junior performs at Olney.

Corrieanne Stein has already performed for a year in the original production of the Broadway play, ”Billy Elliott the Musical,” acted in the world premiere of “Saving Aimee” at the Signature Theatre and is currently rehearsing for the regional premiere of “Over the Tavern” at Olney Theater Center. She is 16 years old.

‘Park After Dark’ Returns

Event to raise funds for the C&O Canal

The 2nd “Park After Dark” fundraiser for the C&O Canal has adopted the theme of the Civil War since 2012 is the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. The canal saw a lot of activity during the war.

‘Taste of Potomac’ Benefits Adoptions Together

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor high winds, nor power outages could stop the “Taste of Potomac” from the mission at hand — throwing a grand event to raise funds for Adoptions Together.

Veteran To Visit Wayside Elementary

Appearance is part of school’s Special Needs Awareness Week.

A Potomac native, former U.S. Army officer and decorated Iraq War veteran will return to the area next week to share a message of acceptance with some local students. Luis Montalván, who sustained both physical and emotional wounds while serving in the military, will speak at Wayside Elementary School in Potomac as part of the school’s Special Needs Awareness Week (SNAP).

Bazaar Yields Middle Eastern Flavor

Volunteers make annual church event possible.

The sun beamed down from an early autumn sky, making a picturesque backdrop for Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church’s 29th annual fall bazaar on Sept. 21-23 in Potomac. The annual event included music, crafts and Middle Eastern food.

Column: LEAF Interns Appreciate Billy Goat Trail

This past summer, interns with The Nature Conservancy’s LEAF (Leaders for Environmental Action in the Future) program hiked the strenuous Billy Goat Trail on Bear Island the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

Fall Fun at Glen Echo

Upcoming events and activities at Glen Echo Park.

Commentary: A Solution To End Struggle over Brickyard Road Site?

As of this week, the Board of Education has spent in excess of $200,000 defending their actions in leasing the Brickyard Road school site to Montgomery County so the county can lease the same 20-acre site to MSI at $1,500 a year for 10 years. Not much of a return for the cost of keeping an unwise decision in place. With this continuing financial bleed on taxpayers in mind and in the hopes of finding reasonable solutions and rectifying past mistakes, the plaintiffs in the case have made the Board of Education a formal proposal offering to end their litigation if a few simple conditions are met.

Classified Advertising Sept 19, 2012

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Ground Game Key to Churchill Football’s 3-0 Start

Bulldogs shut out Bethesda-Chevy Chase.

The Churchill football team has found success on the ground during a 3-0 start.

Bullis Football Wins Home Opener Against St. Mary’s

One year after school’s first outright IAC title, Bulldogs start 3-0.

The Bullis football team improved to 3-0.

Column: Refillable. Rechargeable. Reusable.

More like replaceable. Obviously, I want to remain positive and believe that today is not a good day to die (Worf from “Star Trek: Next Generation”) and that there will be many more tomorrows to live for and days beyond that to plan for. However, having a terminal disease has a tendency to darken up those rose-colored glasses.

Potomac Bulletin Board: Sept. 19, 2012

Upcoming events and activities.

Potomac Calendar: Sept. 19, 2012

Upcoming events and activities.

Roshan Named Teacher of the Future

Bullis math teacher receives national recognition.

Roshan was selected by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) as one of their “Teachers of the Future” for her innovative “flipped classroom” methodology.

St. James Episcopal Rector Completes Pilgrimage to Santiago

A journey that heals the soul.

The day before Potomac’s St. James Episcopal Church Rector the Rev. Cynthia (Cindy) Baskin and her husband Bob were to leave on their once-in-a-lifetime 480 mile pilgrimage through northwestern Spain, she was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her left foot.

Sign Up Now for Potomac’s Got Talent

The Potomac Community Center will host Potomac’s Got Talent in conjunction with Potomac Family Fun Fest on Friday, Sept. 28.

‘Ellen’s Run’ To Benefit Mental Health in County

5K Run/Walk set for Oct. 7.

Ellen Vala Schneider had many friends throughout Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Potomac. She was outgoing, caring and loving — a dedicated mother, attorney and the ultimate volunteer. Her life ended tragically when she drowned in the Potomac River. Her body was found near Billy Goat Trail. She was 51 when she died, but she had made an impact on everyone she encountered.

Teen Protects Friend From Speeding Baseball

Boy’s quick action prevented serious injury.

Two Potomac boys returned to school this year with a harrowing story of bravery and friendship. Fourteen-year-old Sam Parven and 11-year-old Donny Campuzano say they were selling pretzels for a vendor at a Bethesda Big Train baseball game this summer when a second baseman hit a line-drive foul ball into the stands.

Students Raise Money for School in Haiti

St. Andrews’ officials attend building dedication on Sept. 11 in Civol.

Some Potomac students and school officials from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School helped make an educational dream a reality for students at a school in Haiti and were on hand when a new school building was dedicated in Civol, Haiti, Sept. 11.

Letter: Importance of Organic Farms

Gov. Martin O'Malley's letter was timely and appropriate. His letter clearly recognizes the increasingly critical role that small, local farms play in the protection of our State and National food supply. At the same time, the Governor recognized the benefit to Montgomery County students and future farmers, of having a resource where they can learn about the food chain and organic farming practices.

Horses and Riders Go in Style at Seneca Valley

Two-day event attracts competitors from across the country.

The two-day event attracted riders competing in dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country, many of whom travel frequently from state-to-state competing for ribbons, but also happy to just have the experience and a clean round.

2012 Fall For The Book in Potomac

The 14th annual Fall for the Book Festival celebrates the 30th anniversary of The Color Purple with a visit by novelist Alice Walker and presents four authors — Michael Chabon, Neil Gaiman, Rita Dove, and Katherine Boo — with the festival’s 2012 awards.

Potomac Real Estate: July 2012 Top Sales

In July 2012, 47 Potomac homes sold between $3,275,000-$410,000.

Potomac Real Estate: July 2012 Top Sales

Lee Takes Over at Quarterback for Churchill Football Team

Bulldogs improve to 2-0 with victory against Whitman.

The Churchill football team improved to 2-0 with a 33-9 victory against Whitman on Sept. 7.

Classified Advertising Sept. 12, 2012

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Column: Trip Without a Fall

Recently, for the first time in nearly two years, I took a trip without having my car. Significant to me in that not “having my car” meant not being able to transport/have all my cancer things.

Potomac Calendar: Sept. 12, 2012

Upcoming events and activities.

Potomac Bulletin Board: Sept. 12, 2012

Upcoming events and activities.

Learning and Having Fun

Potomac Place Shopping Center, at the intersection of River and Fall roads, hosted a free back-to-school community service event on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Renovation Transforms Split-Level

Warren of walls and small rooms grows into an open Nantucket Shingle-style home.

Converting a “split-level” into a form and style that suits a 21st century family has become one of the more compelling challenges in the recent literature of architectural remodeling. Restricted window size, low-ceilings and too many walls are among perceived limitations. But what to do?

Commentary: A Chance to Reexamine Brickyard School Site

On Aug. 12, Gov. Martin O'Malley sent a letter to County Executive Leggett and Board of Education President Shirley Brandman that begins with "I believe we are about to make a big mistake in destroying acres of productive organic farmland which could be a priceless asset to the education, health and well being of generations of Montgomery students." The letter went on to praise the vision and virtues of a Brickyard Educational Farm, already teaching school children about organic farming, looking to supply organic produce for school lunches, offering field trips and eventually a Beginning Farmer program.

Defeating Dystonia

6th annual event to raise awareness and research funds for Dystonia.

Donna Driscoll is determined to win the fight of her life — against the life-altering disorder, Dystonia. For six years, the Potomac resident and her husband Tom have organized a golf and tennis tournament dedicated to raising Dystonia awareness as well as garnering funds for research to cure and prevent the neurological syndrome and movement disorder that she was inflicted with 10 years ago.

Public Invited to Police Equestrian Championships

Mounted police to compete at county fairgrounds.

Potomac equestrians, and those interested in the work of mounted police forces should plan to attend the 2012 North American Police Equestrian Championships on Sept. 29 and 30 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg.

This Week in Potomac: Sept. 12, 2012

Falls Getting Old, Gude Landfill Investigations, Crash Course in Planning and more.

40 Years Of Service

Women’s Club of Potomac to host anniversary celebration.

A dedicated group of friends came together in 1972 to form an organization that would thoroughly enhance their lives — as well as the lives of countless citizens of Montgomery County. That group, the Women’s Club of Potomac has grown from eight original founders to more than 50 members.

Brief: ‘Carnival of the Animals’ Onstage at Glen Echo Park

On Sept. 21, 2012, the Puppet Co. presents guest artist Bob Brown Puppets’ “Carnival of the Animals.”

Brief: Middle Eastern Bazaar Opens Sept. 21

Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, in Potomac, will host its 29th annual Middle Eastern Bazaar and Food Festival the weekend of Sept. 21-23.

Classified Advertising Sept. 5, 2012

Read the latest Classified Ads here!

Potomac Real Estate: June 2012 Sales in $800,000s

In June 2012, 56 Potomac homes sold between $2,910,000-$475,000.

Potomac Real Estate: June 2012 Sales in $800,000s

Summer Training

summer training

School Notes: Sept. 5, 2012

School Notes

This Week in Potomac

What's going on in Potomac this week.

Entrepreneur Brian Rubin Inspires

Despite Asperger’s syndrome, Rubin creates award-winning business.

Brian Rubin of Potomac lives by the philosophy of Winston Churchill: “Never, never, never quit.”

‘Potomac Days at the Crossroads’ To Be Auctioned

Artist Carol Dyer creates historical vision of Offutt’s Crossroads.

Carol Dyer has created numerous paintings of life at the turn of the century in Annapolis, Washington D.C., Bethany Beach, Rehobeth and across the nation — and now she has produced “Potomac Days at the Crossroads” — painting her vision of what the River and Falls Roads intersection was like in a simpler time when it was named Offutt’s Crossroads and folks traveled by horse and buggy and bicycles built for two, three or even four.

Support ‘Walkabout Abilities’

Annual event benefits the Abilities Network.

The Abilities Network offers solutions to all these problems and more. The 6th annual “Walkabout Abilities” will be held on Sunday, Sept. 30 to raise funds for the contributions that the Abilities Network makes to families in the area and across the United States.

Cooking on Labor Day

Column: Symptoms or just Sometimes

Making the best of a bad situation, that’s how I roll (I’m a Red Sox fan after all). Some days are easier than others, some symptoms/treatments/results are better than others. And some columns make more sense than others. But that’s cancer for you: an equal opportunity “screwer-upper.”